Paper-box machine



Patented Sept. 27,- I898.

c. mhljnLcnma. PAPER Bhx mxcmnz.

(Appiication fllad June 30, 1896.)

5 shm shm I.

(No Model.)

WITNESSES:

Mam m5;

INVENTOR:

4 By his A/mmeys,

MW V

m: NORRIS PETERS cc. wHoYo-Lrmo" WASMNGTON. u. c.

No. 6l|,252. Patented Sept. 27, I898. C. M. HOLCOMB.

PAPER BOX MACHINE.

(Application filed June 30, 1896.) (No Model.) 5 Shaets-Sheet 2.

INVENTOR: WITNESSES M 2/6. $062 I 4/31 1% M By his Aftomeys,

14W M014 %a%zzw 6 TNE Nonms PU'ERS ca. FHOTO-LITHQ. WASHINGTON. n c.

Patented Sept. 27, I898.

C. M. HOLCOMB.

PAPER BOX MACHINE.

(Amalicatzicm filed June 30, 1896,)

5 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(No Model.)

WITNESSES:

INVENTOR:

-& figm By his Altomeys,

"m: nonms PEYEHS co, PHDYO-UYNO" wAsnmorou, o. 1:.

Patented Sept. 27, I898.

c. M. "H OLCUMB.

PAPER BOX MACHlNE.

N0. 6ll,252.

(Application filed June 30, 1896.)

5 Sheets-Sheet 4.

No Model.)

INVENTOR:

By his Altorzieys, ficmp-FQD WITNESSES: 12rd 14...... M-

No. 611,252. Patented Sept. 27, I898. c. M. HOLCOMB.

PAPER BOX MACHINE.

(Application filed June 30, 1896.)

(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 5.

WITNESSES; K INVENTOR:

'fmz mm -4 525? By his A/zomeys,

THE uonms PETERS c0, PHornLrMQ, WASNINUTON, o. a

Ni'rED STATES PATENT Enron.

CHARLES M. HOLOOMB, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO ALFRED BIRNIE, OFSPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS.

PAPER-BOX MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 61 1,252, datedSeptember 27, 1898.

Application filed June 30, 1896. Serial No. 597,516. [No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, CHARLES M. HoLooMB, a citizen of the United States,residing in New York, (Brooklyn,) in the county of Kings and State ofNew York, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Paper-Boxand other Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to machines such as those used for making paperboxes and other articles from flat blanks, and aims to provide certainimprovements in machines for this and analogous purposes. In machines ofthis character the blank operated upon is usually a strawboard or otherblank having sides and ends scored or creased at their junction with thecenter or body at the point of bending the side or end to a position atright angles 'to the body, the blank usually having a cor- 2o ner-flapprojecting from the side, which is folded in at right angles and gluedto the inner face of the end in forming the box, the

whole being cut from a rectangular sheet,

with notches at the corners to give the de- 2 5 sired formation, andbeing scored or creased,

if required, before being supplied to the boxmachine, to which theblanks are supplied in piles. The machines have a feeding-table,

receiving a pile of blanks, a feeder passing 3o successive blanks to theforming-point, a

plunger pressing the fiat blank down through a folding-space, gummingmechanism, and driving mechanism.

My invention provides certain features of improvement in theconstruction, arrangement, and operation of machines of this generalcharacter, which will be hereinafter fully set forth, with reference tothe accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a plan view of abox-making machine embodying the preferred form of my present invention,the view being partly in horizontal section on the line 1 1 in Figs. 2and 3, this section being below the gummer 5 and substantially'flushwith the feed-table.

Fig. 2 is a front elevation thereof, the lefthand side of the figurebeing in vertical section on the line 2 2 in Figs. 1 and 3. 'Fig. 3 isan end elevation thereof, the left-hand side of the figure being invertical section on the lines 3 3 in Figs. 1 and 2. Fig. 4. is an elevation of the outer side of the roller-arm of the presser-toggle,looking in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 2. Figs. 5 to S,inclusive, are fragmentary detail views, on a larger scale, showing theoperation of the flapfolder, Fig. 5 being a side elevation thereofbefore acting, Fig. 6 a like view during action, Fig. 7 a rear elevationin the position shown in Fig. 6, and Fig. 8 a plan view of Fig. 7. Fig.9 is a fragmentary view of the gummer in the active position. Fig. 10 isan enlarged fragmentary vertical section of the back gage, showing theyielding guard. Fig. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal section ofthe end-presser, showing the puller-off; and Fig. 12 is a plan View ofone of the blanks, showing the gum-points and folding lines or creases.

Referring to the drawings, let A indicate the feed-table at front of themachine; B, the blank; 0, a rear gage therefor; D, the feed-slide; E,the forming-pocket; F, the plunger; G,the gummer; H,the end-pressers;

I, the flap-folders; J, the puller-off, and K the delivery-board.

In operation the feed removes the undermost blank from the pile, theothers being retained by the guide 0, and pushes the blank to its properposition over the pocket E, the shape of which substantially correspondsinternally to the external shape of the box to be formed. The blank thenrests with its sides on the top edges of the pocket, its ends on the endedges thereof and immediately beneath the gummers, and its body beneaththe plunger F, the external shape of which corresponds to the desiredinternal shape of the box. The plunger then descends on the body,forcing it into the pocket, thus bending its sides and ends at the edgesof the pocket, so that the sides and ends turn up between the walls ofthe pocket and plunger. During or just prior to this bending the gummersGapply glue to the inner faces of the ends of the 5 blank at the pointsa thereof, this being the point which contacts with the flap b of theadjacent sides 0 when the sides have been bent and the flaps folded inbefore the ends (I are bent. The flaps are folded during the bending ofthe sides by the folders I, so that they will be in position in time toreceive the gummed ends. Then the box is pushed within the pocket untilproperly opposite the pressers II, whereupon the plunger is arrested andthe pressers move toward it, compressing the box ends against the flapswith sufiicient force to secure perfect adhesion of the glued portions,whereupon the pressers release, the plunger rises, and the formed box ispulled ofi? the plunger and out of the pocket by the puller J, the boxfalling onto the chute K and escaping. The parts then return to theirpositions for a successive operation.

I will now describe in detail the preferred form of my improvements asillustrated in the machine shown.

The machine comprises a framework consisting of side frames 6 and across-brace f, with bottom corner-stays g. This frame may be of anysuitable construction which will suffice to hold and carry the parts.

The table Ais a suitable flat table mounted at the top front side of themachine, of suflicient width and depth to receive any sizes of blanks Bfor which the machine is adapted, and having a track or slot h on andthrough which the feed-slide D reciprocates. The inner end of the tableis near the pocket E, sufficient distance being left to provide forworking room and the space between the table and the pocket beingbridged by one or more extension-pieces t' to prevent sagging of theblank. At the sides of the table adjustable side gages j are mountedwhich engage the ends of the blanks and hold them in proper position forentering the forming mechanism. At the rear of the table a fixed. gage Cis placed, which gage has beneath it a feedingslot 71:, between itslower edge and the top of the table, which slot is long enough and highenough to permit the passage of any one blank.

. Near its front edge the table has adjustable gages Z, which areadjusted against the outer edge of the pile of blanks and prevent out-Ward displacement of the lower ones. The front gage Z holds the bottomblank in position to be caught by the slide D, and the inner gageprevents the other blanks from moving in with the bottom one. A weight mmay be laid on the blanks to hold them down.

The feed-slide D consists of one or more adjustable plates 41 on areciprocating carrier 0, which plates pass under the pile and push theundermost blank inward past the gage C until it is properly locatedunder the plunger. To prevent the blank from slipping above the slideafter passing the gage, I provide inwardly-extending top holders 1) onthe gage, which hold down the blank until its edge issufficientlyinward. To prevent injury of the feed-slide in case it shallaccidentally pass under instead of catching the lowermost blank orshould slip therefrom when the.

blank is part way through the gage, I make the front gage O upwardlyyielding, preferably by forming it with a yielding portion 0, which isabove the slide and normally rests at the proper height to pass oneblank; but

should the slide slip under the blank after the latter is partly fed theportion 0 will rise and permit the passage of the slide beneath it andthe partly-fed blank under it without injury. The gageis shown ashavinga socket q near each end of its portion 0, into which socket studsr from this portion rise, which studs are surrounded by spiral springss, forcing them down, and carry studs 25, Working in slots to, by whichthey are prevented from escaping from the sockets, and the downwardmovement of the yielding guard C is limited, as shown in Fig. 10.

The feed is operated by a feed-cam L, fixed on the driven shaft M of themachine and connected by a link 1;, having a roller w bearing on the camand a fork w embracing the shaft with the short arm of a lever g, whichis fulcrumed on a shaft .2 and is coupled at its upper end to the slide0, while it is retracted by a spring z. The cam L has a rise a, duringthe action of which against the roller 10 the feed moves inwardly. Abovethis rise the cam has an outer rest I), on which the roller bears whilethe feed rests at the inner position. At the end of the outer rest thecam gradually recedes to the innerrest c, the feed returning to itsinitial position as the roller w travels down the incline and standingoutwardly of the blanks while the roller is 011 the inner rest.

The pocket E may be any suitable formingl the end pieces 0 are flushwith the top of the table A and constitute the surface on which theblank rests when itis ready to be operated 1 upon by the formingmechanism, these plates and pieces being permanently adjusted to suitthe box to be made and then being fixed side and end folders therefor.

bottom of the box.

The plunger F has outer walls passing within the box and a bottom facebearing on the In its inactive position it is held above thepocketfarenough to permit the blank to pass thereover, and then it descendsinto and part way through the pocket, bending the sides and ends of theblanks at the corners of the outer walls between these walls and theplates N and end lpieces 0.

It rests in its downward position until the box ends are pressed, andthen it rises to and rests at the upper position. The

shaft M for guiding purposes.

have each a roller i, bearing on plungercams P, respectively, thecross-heads having lower slotted portions j, which embrace the Theplungercams P are fixed to the shaft M, have outer concentric rests It,which when engaged by the rollers hold the plunger at the upperposition, inclines Z, down which the rollers run to permit the plungerto fall, inner rests m, on which the rollers ride while the plunger isdown and stationary, and rises n for lifting the plunger.

The ends of the blank are gummed during the first bending. The gummersGare preferably rollers of a width and location to correspond with thegumming desired, and are fed from a gum-box Q, having driven rollerswith which the gum-rollers contact during their inactive periods to besupplied with gum, which rollers are driven by sprocketchains 19, and apulley q, belt 'r', and crossshaft 3 for each gum-box. The gummers arecarried by a frame R, pivoted to swing on ahorizontal axis, having aportion 25' resting on the plunger F when the latter is elevated, andthereby holding the gummers above the blanks as the latter are fed toposition, and having stops a, striking the piece 0 and preventingcontact of the gummers therewith, these stopsand frames being beyond thesides of the blank, so that neither interferes with the latter. As theplunger begins its descent the gummers fall with it until they rest onthe ends of the blank, which they reach before it is reached by theplunger. When the plunger begins to depress the blank, the ends of thelatter as they are bent past the pieces 0 are drawn under the rollers,taking the gumtherefrom. As they leave the gummers the stops to thereofstrike the pieces 0 and arrest further downward movement of the gummers,which latter rest in this position until their frames are again liftedwith the plunger F.

The flap-folders I turn in the flaps before the ends are completelybent. They consist of a finger S for each flap and an operator T in thepath of the plunger, moved thereby when the latter is moving into thepocket and then moving the finger inwardly in time to bring it betweenthe plunger-wall and the gummed end, as best seen in Figs. 5 to 8. Theflap-folders are preferably mounted on the side plates N, having aspindle o fixed to the toe T at one side of the plate, finding bearingsin the plate, and having an eccentric pin at its other end, working inaslot 0a in the finger S, and thereby throwing the finger against theflap b as the toe is depressed by the falling plunger. restores theparts when the plunger has risen. The point of the finger S isproperlyarranged to fold the flap, and the lower end of the finger ispivoted at z to the side of the plate N.

When a box has been moved to the proper position in the pocket,'its endsare pressed by the pressers II to insure permanent adhesion A spring 3of the gummed faces. These pressers are horizontallysliding plateshaving vertical pressing-faces which act against the ends of the box. bytogglejoints U, controlled by cams V, mounted on the shaft M, andconsisting each of a link or, engaging the cam and f ulcrumed to a crosspart I), supported by the frame,and a link 0', fulcrumed to the link aand adjustably connected to a cross-head 01, carried on a slide 6,forming part of the presser H. The link a has an adjustable arm carryinga roller f and adjusted relatively to the link by a screw 9, so that theposition of the link can be regulated. The roller bears on the innerface of the cam V, which cam has a long rest h", on which the rollerrides when the pressers are retracted, and a sharp rise 2', which liftsthe toggle to force the pressers against the box. Each toggle isretracted by a springj.

The force exerted by the pressers is usually very great. To resist thisforce and carry the slides, I prefer to provide a rectangular frame W,which consists of two cylindrical bars extending from side to side ofthe machine (lettered k") and cross-heads b, clamped to these bars, andheld in position on the frame of the machine, as by fastenings Z, towhich crossheads the links a are fulcrumed and on which bars the slidese of the pressers slide, so that all the force exerted by the pressersis taken up in the frame W without straining the frame of the machine.The end pieces 0 are preferably adj ustably clamped on the bars k.

The puller-off J consists of a verticallysliding hook fitting in anundercut groove m in the face of the presser H, having an elastic hookend n", yielding to permit the box to pass down and then snapping inagainst the plunger above the upper edgeof the box. At its lower end thehook is adjustably connected with the slide X, having a roller 0 ridingon the cam Y and having a fork p embracing the shaft M for a bearing anda weight g beneath. The slide X and cam Y are duplicated for eachpuller-off and are connected by a rod 1", which in turn is connected toeach hook by links 3", the upper ends of which can be connected to oneof several holes in the lower ends of the hooks. The cams Y have outerrests on which the roller rides while the hooks are up, a fall a", whichpermits downward movement of the pullers-off, and a rise o for againlifting these parts. The slides X have downward projections w, engaginga longitudinal bar 00 to prevent their tilting.

The various cams are timed and disposed so that the feed shall becompleted before the plunger falls, and the pressers shall be retractedand the pullers-off elevated before the formed box is pressed inposition for pressing. The presser-cam will act while the plunger 'restsin its lower position, and as soon as the pressers are released theplunger will rise.

The pressers are moved in and out During or immediately after the riseof the plunger the pullers-off will act.

The center of thrust of the pressers is substantially opposite theposition of the box being pressed and is in line with the longitudt nalaxis of the frame W, so that there will be no torsional strains.

It will be seen that my invention provides a simple and effectivemachine for making boxes and like purposes and one which can be readilyand advantageously availed of, and it will be understood that theinvention is not limited to the particular details of construction,arrangement, and operation set forth and shown as constituting thepreferred form of the invention, but that it can be adapted according tosuch modifications as circumstances or the judgment of those skilled inthe art may dictate without departing from the spirit of the invention.

It will be seen that the sides and ends of the pocket E when onceadjusted to suit the blank to be operated upon are rigidly held againstmovement and constitute rigid folders forfolding the sides and ends ofthe blank upwardly against the plunger as the latter presses the body ofthe blank through the matrix or pocket. For convenience of adj ustmentthe sides or plates N are arranged nearly at the ends of the sides inthe construction shown, so that they can be shifted toward or from eachother without interference. The top corners of the plates N and pieces 0may be slightly rounded, as shown, to render more gradual the operationof bending up the edges of the blank. In this action the sides and endsof the matrix constitute, essentially, fixed folders surrounding thelatter, beneath which the movable pressers act, preferably through theend pieces. Adjustment of the end pieces along the bars 7t" lengthens orshortens the pocket, whileadj ustment of the side plates longitudinallyof the end pieces and laterally of the bars affects the. width of thepocket.

Much advantage results from using a movable flap-folder in conjunctionwith a rigid side-folder, as the swinging flap-folder I, carried on therigid plate N. The rigid end-folders Oassure uniformity of action on allthe blanks, and any expansive. tendency during their operation is takenup by the connection between them, (thebars Yd.) These end-folders 0 maythus be stationary during the operation instead of movable, as would bethe case were the pressers. relied on for end-folding as well aspressing. I

The improved toggle connection secures easy operation of the pressersand requires very little force to swing the toggle. This is largely dueto the extension of one of the links into direct connection with thecam, so that the latter operates directly on the long arm of thelevercomprising the outer toggle-link at".

The adjustability of the feed D permits ready adaptation to feedingblanks of different sizes, the adjustment being effected by shifting theplaten on the slide 0. The top and bottom guides 19 and t afiordvaluable assistance in preventing the blanks escaping the feed andinsuring their proper position as they pass over the pocket.

What I claim is-- 1. In box and other machines, a feed-table, andbox-forming mechanism, in combination with a gage permitting the feed ofthe lowermost of a pile of blanks, and having a vertically-movableportion, and a feed opposite the movable portion of said gage, movingthe lowermost blank past said gage to said mechanism, a spring pressingsaid movable portion toward its working position, and a stop limitingits downward movement.

2. In box and other machines, a feed-table for holding a blank, a feedfor moving the latter to a box-forming mechanism, and such mechanism, incombination with a gage, past which the blank is fed, having a yieldingportion 0, freely movable laterally of the direction of feed for thepurpose set forth, a spring pressing such portion toward the blank, anda stop determining its position.

In box and other machines, a pocket for receiving the blank consistingof separate side plates N and adjustable end pieces 0, the latter rigidand extending outwardly past said plates, a common support for both theplates and said pieces, a plunger for pressing the blank into suchpocket, and pressers movable against the blank beneath said end piecesfor pressing its gum med portions against said plunger.

4. In box and other machines, a formingpocket, and a plunger forpressing a blank therein, in combination with gummers for the blanknormally withheld therefrom by the plunger and moving into contact withthe blank for gumming it during the movement of the plunger toward it.

5. In box and other machinery, a pocket for receiving a blank, and aplunger pressing the blank into said pocket, in combination with aflap-folder at the corners of said pocket, moved by the plunger againstthe flap of the blank and folding it in between the plunger and the endof the blank as the plunger descends, and means in the path of the iplunger and below the blank, operated bythe "plunger and operating thefolder, consisting of a toe projecting into the pocket.

6. In box and other machines, a pocket, and a plunger for pressing ablank therein, in combination with pressers for pressing the blankagainst the plunger, and'vertically-reciprocating pullers-off carried bysaid pressers for removing the box blank from the plungers.

7. In box and other machines, a gummer G, vertically movable and liftedabove the surface to be gummed when inactive and falling by gravitythereon when active, means moving said gummer vertically, and a stop Itsustaining the gummer against contact with other than the surface to begummed.

8. In box and other machines, a movable plunger, in combination with apivotal frame R, and a glimmer G carried thereby and movable up and downwith the plunger, and means lifting and releasing'said frame for itsinactive and active periods, operating synchronously with the movementof said plunger.

9. In box and other machines, a movable plunger, in combination with aflap-folder I, comprising a finger S movable toward and from the flap, abox-forming pocket, and a projecting part T extending into said pocket,moving the finger, in the path of, underneath, and moved by, theplunger.

10. In box and other machines, a pocket E, having side plates N, pieces0, and pressers H, and bars k adj ustably carrying said parts.

11. In box and other machines, the table A, gage 0, feed D, pocket E,plunger F, a single shaft M operating said feed and plunger, and gummingand flap-folding mechanism, and means operating said gum min g andflap-folding mechanism from said plunger as it moves,

I substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

12. In box and other machines, the combination with the box-formingmechanism, and a presser for pressing the box, of a toggle operatingsaid presser, consisting of two links, the one connected to the latter,and the other connected to the first and having a fixedlaterally-projecting cam portion, an adjustable roller carried thereby,and a cam operating the toggle and engaging said roller carried by thelatter link, and reacting thereagainst in a direction substantiallyapproximating the direction of thrust of the toggle.

13. In box and other machines, the combination with the box-formingmechanism, of a pocket consisting of two end-folders and four rigid andadjustable side-folders for the blank, said side-folders each having amovable flapfolder therefor, carried by, and adjusted with theadjustment of, said side-folder.

14. In box and other machines, a box-forming mechanism, in combinationwith rigid arched end-folders for the box, having hollow under sides,bars carrying said folders and movable pressers below and within thehollows of said end-folders, and having slides CHARLES M. HOLCOMB.

Witnesses:

NAPOLEON SAVARIA, WILLIAM H. (Arms.

